First Reading: One word that describes the Israelites after God’s mighty deeds had freed them from slavery in Egypt and from death at the Red Sea is “grumblers.” Granted, they are in the desert, but they seem to have quickly forgotten all that God had done for them. Also, they do not seem to be able to grasp that the God who had saved them and freed them is a faithful God who will never abandon them, for they are God’s people. Here, they are complaining about a lack of water, and later they will complain about a lack of food. In both cases God provides for the people with water from the rock at Meribah and manna in the desert. Still, however, the continuation of these mighty deeds does not quench the grumbling of the Israelites. Eventually their grumbling turns into rebelliousness. While Moses communes with God at Mount Sinai, they fashion a calf out of precious metal. Psalm 106 depicts this act most starkly when it summarizes the grumbling and rebelliousness of Israel in these words: “They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass” (Ps 106:20).

Second Reading: We might think about this reading as Paul’s testimony about the type of love that God has for God’s people. It is a steadfast and faithful love that is made manifest in the willingness of Jesus to die, not just for His friends, but for sinners. This is the ultimate and convincing proof that God loves us. This steadfast love is something that all Christians can continue to trust in, for this hope will never disappoint.

Gospel Reading: The richness of the gospel reading cannot be contained in this short commentary. One place of focus in the gospel is the way it resonates with the human yearning for something that fulfills and endures. One might think of St. Augustine’s claim that “our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” This Samaritan woman has attempted to fill the emptiness in her life with many relationships that have not been satisfying. She has become alienated, not only from these men, but from the other women of her village—after all, she is at the well by herself in the heat of the noon day sun when she sees Jesus. But, through her encounter with Jesus, she gradually shifts her focus from the demands of material necessities to a longing for a deeper satisfaction in her spiritual and eternal life. Another place of focus is at the end of the passage when Jesus stays with the Samaritans for two days. We are told that “many more believed because of His word.” What they say to the woman at that point is quite remarkable: “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.” This statement makes me think of my friend whom I mentioned in the Introduction to the Word. Part of what led him to a renewal of his relationship with Jesus was how he saw Christ manifested in the lives of others. These Samaritans actually came to believe because of the testimony of this woman. Their encounter with Jesus was a confirmation of what they had already encountered through her. This is the same pattern that my friend experienced. He encountered Jesus through others which led him to a renewal in which he re-established his relationship with Jesus Himself.

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